Hydrodynamic side plate for torque converter stator

Abstract

A hydrodynamic side plate for a stator in a torque converter includes a first radial surface, a second radial surface opposite the first radial surface, a first axial restriction surface on the first radial surface opposite an inner race of a stator assembly, a second axial restriction surface on the first radial surface opposite locking components of the stator assembly, and a plurality of hydrodynamic pads in the second radial surface separated by a plurality of corresponding radial grooves. The first axial restriction surface is configured to restrict axial movement of the inner race of the stator assembly. The second axial restriction surface is configured to restrict axial movement of the locking components of the stator assembly. The second radial surface comprises at least two anti-rotation tabs configured to prevent relative motion with the stator assembly.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A hydrodynamic side plate for a stator in a torque converter, the hydrodynamic side plate comprising:
 a first radial surface; 
 a second radial surface opposite the first radial surface; 
 a first axial restriction surface configured to be on the first radial surface opposite an inner race of a stator assembly; 
 a second axial restriction surface configured to be on the first radial surface opposite locking components of the stator assembly; and 
 a plurality of hydrodynamic pads in the second radial surface separated by a plurality of corresponding radial grooves, 
 wherein the first axial restriction surface is configured to restrict axial movement of the inner race of the stator assembly, 
 wherein the second axial restriction surface is configured to restrict axial movement of the locking components of the stator assembly, 
 wherein the second radial surface comprises at least two anti-rotation tabs configured to prevent relative motion with the stator assembly, and 
 wherein the first radial surface comprises one or more empty pockets opposite the plurality of hydrodynamic pads. 
 
     
     
       2. The hydrodynamic side plate of  claim 1 , wherein the first axial restriction surface is a flat recess. 
     
     
       3. The hydrodynamic side plate of  claim 1 , wherein the second axial restriction surface is a protruding plateau or filleted plateau. 
     
     
       4. The hydrodynamic side plate of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the second axial restriction surface comprises a recess and a helical spring washer disposed in the recess. 
 
     
     
       5. The hydrodynamic side plate of  claim 1 , wherein the second axial restriction surface comprises an injected insert. 
     
     
       6. The hydrodynamic side plate of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the second axial restriction surface comprises a groove and a coil spring disposed in the groove. 
 
     
     
       7. The hydrodynamic side plate of  claim 1 , wherein the at least two anti-rotation tabs are configured to be disposed in at least two stator pockets of the stator assembly. 
     
     
       8. The hydrodynamic side plate of  claim 1 , further comprising a hollow section and a snap portion, wherein the snap portion is configured to snap fit into a radial groove of the stator assembly through a lead-in chamfer. 
     
     
       9. The hydrodynamic side plate of  claim 1 , further comprising an outer circumferential surface configured to be retained in at least two overhangs of the stator assembly. 
     
     
       10. A stator assembly comprising:
 a base including a plurality of stator blades; 
 an inner race including a plurality of splines; 
 an outer race; 
 locking components disposed between the inner and outer races, configured to function as a one-way clutch; and 
 a hydrodynamic side plate disposed on the stator assembly, configured to secure the one-way clutch in place within the stator assembly, and comprising:
 a first radial surface; 
 a second radial surface opposite the first radial surface; 
 a first axial restriction surface on the first radial surface opposite the inner race of the stator assembly; 
 a second axial restriction surface on the first radial surface opposite the locking components of the stator assembly; and 
 a plurality of hydrodynamic pads in the second radial surface separated by a plurality of corresponding radial grooves, 
 wherein the first axial restriction surface is configured to restrict axial movement of the inner race of the stator assembly, 
 wherein the second axial restriction surface is configured to restrict axial movement of the locking components of the stator assembly, 
 wherein the second radial surface comprises at least two anti-rotation tabs configured to prevent relative motion with the stator assembly, and 
 wherein the first radial surface comprises a plurality of one or more empty pockets opposite the plurality of hydrodynamic pads. 
 
 
     
     
       11. The stator assembly of  claim 10 , wherein:
 the first axial restriction surface is a flat recess; and 
 the second axial restriction surface is a protruding plateau or filleted plateau. 
 
     
     
       12. The stator assembly of  claim 10 , wherein:
 the at least two anti-rotation tabs are disposed in at least two stator pockets of the stator assembly. 
 
     
     
       13. The stator assembly of  claim 10 , wherein the hydrodynamic side plate further comprises a hollow section and a snap portion, wherein:
 the second axial restriction surface comprises a recess and a helical spring washer disposed in the recess; and 
 the snap portion is configured to snap fit into a radial groove of the stator assembly through a lead-in chamfer. 
 
     
     
       14. The stator assembly of  claim 10 , wherein the hydrodynamic side plate further comprises an outer circumferential surface, wherein:
 the second axial restriction surface comprises a groove and a coil spring disposed in the groove; and 
 the outer circumferential surface is retained in at least two overhangs of the stator assembly. 
 
     
     
       15. A torque converter comprising:
 a stator assembly comprising:
 a base including a plurality of stator blades; 
 an inner race including a plurality of splines; 
 an outer race; and 
 locking components disposed between the inner and outer races; 
 
 a turbine including a plurality of turbine blades; 
 an impeller including a plurality of impeller blades and an impeller shell; and 
 a hydrodynamic side plate disposed between the stator assembly and the impeller shell, and comprising:
 a first radial surface; 
 a second radial surface opposite the first radial surface; 
 a first axial restriction surface on the first radial surface opposite the inner race of the stator assembly; 
 a second axial restriction surface on the first radial surface opposite the locking components of the stator assembly; and 
 a plurality of hydrodynamic pads on the second radial surface separated by a plurality of corresponding radial grooves, 
 wherein the first axial restriction surface is configured to restrict axial movement of the inner race of the stator assembly, 
 wherein the second axial restriction surface is configured to restrict axial movement of the locking components of the stator assembly; 
 wherein the second radial surface comprises at least two anti-rotation tabs configured to prevent relative motion with the stator assembly, and 
 wherein the first radial surface comprises a plurality of one or more empty pockets opposite the plurality of hydrodynamic pads. 
 
 
     
     
       16. The torque converter of  claim 15 , wherein:
 the first axial restriction surface is a flat recess; and 
 the second axial restriction surface is a protruding plateau or filleted plateau. 
 
     
     
       17. The stator assembly of  claim 15 , wherein:
 the at least two anti-rotation tabs are disposed in at least two stator pockets of the stator assembly. 
 
     
     
       18. The torque converter of  claim 15 , wherein the hydrodynamic side plate further comprises a hollow section and a snap portion, wherein:
 the second axial restriction surface comprises a recess and a helical spring washer disposed in the recess; and 
 the snap portion is configured to snap fit into a radial groove of the stator assembly through a lead-in chamfer. 
 
     
     
       19. The torque converter of  claim 15 , wherein the hydrodynamic side plate further comprises an outer circumferential surface, wherein:
 the second axial restriction surface comprises a groove and a coil spring disposed in the groove; and 
 the outer circumferential surface is retained in at least two overhangs of the stator assembly.